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Parturition, dystocia and foal survival: a retrospective study of 1047 births
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA. pmccue@colostate.edu
Reason For Performing Study:
An understanding of the normal events of foaling, causes of dystocia and clinical outcomes is important for equine practitioners.
Objectives:
The goals of the present study were to: 1) evaluate factors that influence gestation length; 2) report duration of Stage II labour; 3) determine the frequency of dystocia and premature placental separation; and 4) determine the relationship between problems at foaling and foal survival.
Materials And Methods:
Foaling records of 1047 mare births were evaluated.
Results:
The average gestation length was 342.7 days [corrected] +/- 0.4 days, with no effect of mare age or breed observed. Mares carrying male fetuses had a longer gestation (P < or = 0.001) than mares carrying female fetuses. A majority (52.8%) of mares foaled at night between 2000 h and 0200 h when the facility was quiet. Dystocia occurred in 10.1% of all births and the incidence rate was higher in Thoroughbred mares than in Quarter Horse mares. The most common cause of dystocia was abnormalities of fetal posture. A delay in foal delivery beyond 40 min of Stage II of labour was associated with a significant increase in foal mortality. In addition, an increase in foal morbidity and mortality was noted when the interval from birth to standing or birth to nursing was prolonged.
Conclusion:
Early detection and rapid appropriate intervention are critical to foal survival in an equine dystocia.
Potential Relevance:
Equine veterinarians should counsel horse owners that early recognition of a foaling problem and rapid, appropriate intervention are critical to the survival of a foal.
